News http://www.alter-net.info News from ALTER-Net and elsewhere daily 1 2011-03-07T10:58:26Z Job: Professorships and staff positions at iDiv, Germany http://www.alter-net.info/jobs-opps/jobs-vacancies/idiv-jobs-july-2012 Added 25-07-12. Deadlines: 15-09-12 (for professorships); 31-08-12 (for other vacancies) Following the recent foundation of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) which aims to become a world-class research centre in the field of biodiversity science, iDiv are seeking to appoint the following:

•         eight professors (see attached pdf "Professorships") and
•         several coordinator / scientific staff (see attached pdf "coordinators")

iDiv’s central mission is to promote theory-driven synthesis and data-driven theory in this emerging discipline. The concept of the centre encompasses detection and quantification of biodiversity, understanding its existence and emergence, exploring its consequences for ecosystem functions and services, and developing new strategies to safeguard biodiversity under global change.

iDiv is one of the seven National Research Centres funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). It will be located in the city of Leipzig, jointly hosted by the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, the University of Leipzig (UL) and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ. Furthermore, it is supported by the Max Planck Society, the Leibniz Association, the Klaus Tschira Foundation and the Free State of Saxony.

In iDiv 85 scientists and 45 support staff, associated with the eight new chair professor positions, three junior research groups and central services (IT, eco- and bioinformatics, mechanics workshop, greenhouses) will collaborate in a highly integrated environment. As a unique feature, a Synthesis Centre for Biodiversity Sciences (sDiv) is physically and institutionally integrated in iDiv and will offer international workshops, postdoc positions and a sabbatical program. The young biodiversity research training group (yDiv) will help form a new generation of biodiversity scientists with a solid theoretical background combined with diverse experimental and computational skills. Leipzig is known for its rich culture, architecture, excellent schools, and beautiful surroundings.

Further information can be found at http://www.idiv-biodiversity.de/.

Deadlines:

  • Professorships: 15 September
  • Other posts: 31 August

How to apply

Please refer to the detailed information in the attached PDF files.

]]> No publisher Andy Sier job 2012-07-25T09:14:19Z News Item Green infrastructure a hit at the Dublin ESOF 2012 Conference ◄A► http://www.alter-net.info/news/green-infrastructure-esof-session-news The ALTER-Net and PEER networks held a successful session on green infrastructure at the recent ESOF 2012 conference in Dublin. The Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) is Europe’s largest, general science meeting and is held in a leading Europe city every two years. ESOF 2012 was hosted by Dublin from July 11th-15th, 2012. ESOF is unique in the diversity of delegates who attend. It attracts top researchers from the natural sciences and the social sciences; business leaders; senior EU and government officials; and international scientific media. They come to discuss the best of European science and to address all of the current major global scientific challenges, including energy, climate change, environment, food and health.

On Sunday 15th July a group of enthusiastic delegates gathered in the Dublin Convention Centre, located in Spencer Dock in the heart of Dublin city, to hear a session on green infrastructure co-organised by ALTER-Net and PEER (Partnership for European Environmental Research).

Green infrastructure links natural, semi-natural and urban features, areas and spaces together. It provides both ecological as well as societal well-being, and resilience against dramatic changes. It provides us with cultural ecosystem services such as possibilities for recreation, inspiration, learning and spiritual gains. It is a ‘hot topic’ in relation to the science-policy-society interface because it is presently the subject of research and debate by the European Commission who see it as a concept that, once realised, could deliver sustainable European rural and urban landscapes. Green infrastructure is a major element within the second target of Europe's 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and its development and implementation are the subject of much interest among researchers, policy makers, the scientific press and the interested public.

Delegates, ESOF2012Key questions fuelling the current debate include:

  • how do we identify, restore and 'green' infrastructure that supports sustainability and maintains its cultural ecosystem services?
  • can energy production from forests be sustainable and support recreational purposes?
  • can green infrastructure contribute to climate change adaptation?
  • can we apply a similar principles and approaches to the Marine environment?

 

Keynote speakers were called on by the meeting chair, Dr Eeva Furman of SYKE and ALTER-Net, to address these issues. Thus: Dr Isabel Sousa Pinto (CIIMAR) talked about what kind of infrastructure is likely to be required for marine area planning, including some wonderful insights from leading edge research; Dr Ilkka Hanski (Helsinki University) highlighted the link between green infrastructure and human health; Dr Maria Luisa Paracchini (JRC) showed us what kind of green infrastructure support recreational needs in Europe; and Dr Kinga Krauze (ERCE/UNESCO) illustrated how to generate a switch of the management paradigm in urban scenery “from grey to green” with a case study from Lodz in Poland.

These presentations were followed by a highly informative question and answer session moderated by Dr Lawrence Jones-Walters of ECNC, in which Ms Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP and Shane Colgan of the Irish Environmental Protection Agency gave valuable insights into different aspects of policy implementation and practical delivery, stimulating a highly active discussion and response from the participants.

In conclusion, the importance of green and blue infrastructure to human health and economic well-being was perfectly illustrated. The level of innovation in relation to research in this field is clearly very high and is drawing much interest from policymakers who wish to provide frameworks within which the effective implementation of green infrastructure can take place - at all levels.

Words & pictures by Lawrence Jones-Walters, ECNC

Further information

]]> No publisher Andy Sier 2012-07-24T11:05:00Z News Item Opp: Nominees sought for UK representative on IPBES Multidisciplinary Expert Panel http://www.alter-net.info/jobs-opps/opportunities/opp-nominees-sought-for-uk-representative-on-ipbes-multidisciplinary-expert-panel Added 18-07-2012. Deadline 27-07-2012 The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) was established by an intergovernmental meeting in Panama City, Panama on 21 April 2012 with the objective of strengthening the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human wellbeing and sustainable development.

It was agreed that the Platform would be supported by a Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) that will carry out the scientific and technical functions of the Platform. An interim arrangement for the membership of the Panel will be put in place until the final regional structure and expert composition of the Panel is determined by the IPBES Plenary.

The UK Government is seeking expressions of interest from persons interested in being nominated by the UK to serve on the Platform’s interim MEP in an independent expert capacity.

The position will be unpaid but all expenses associated with attendance at meetings of the Platform as a member of the interim MEP or on behalf of the UK will be paid.

For details see: http://jobs.economist.com/job/2535/intergovernmental-platform-on-biodiversity-and-ecosystem-services/.

]]> No publisher Andy Sier 2012-07-18T13:39:24Z News Item Scientific data: open access to research results will boost Europe's innovation capacity http://www.alter-net.info/news/access-to-research-and-data The European Commission has outlined measures to improve access to scientific information produced in Europe. The EC has announced measured to make it easier to obtain scientific information and data. A statement on the Europa website reads "Broader and more rapid access to scientific papers and data will make it easier for researchers and businesses to build on the findings of public-funded research. This will boost Europe's innovation capacity and give citizens quicker access to the benefits of scientific discoveries. In this way, it will give Europe a better return on its €87 billion annual investment in R&D. The measures complement the Commission's Communication to achieve a European Research Area (ERA), also adopted today."

The full press release is available here...

]]> No publisher Andy Sier 2012-07-18T13:13:14Z News Item Why living close to nature may be good for you http://www.alter-net.info/news/why-living-close-to-nature-may-be-good-for-you This is the theme of the latest topic on our sister website, Nature and Biodiversity News & Views. "Rapidly declining biodiversity may be a contributing factor to another global megatrend — the rapidly increasing prevalence of allergies and other chronic inflammatory diseases among urban populations worldwide." So write the authors of a recent research paper looking at whether contact with biodiversity boosts peoples' immunes systems. This is the topic of the latest article on ALTER-Net's News & Views website is, 'Why living close to nature may be good for you'.

 

The topic is based on work led by Prof. Ilkka Hanski at the University of Helsinki and was published in Hanski, I., von Hertzen, L., Fyhrquistc, N. et al. (2012). Environmental biodiversity, human microbiota, and allergy are interrelated. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Doi/10.1073/pnas.1205624109. Free to download from: www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/05/01/1205624109.abstract

]]> No publisher Andy Sier 2012-07-16T09:25:00Z News Item Opp: Funding opportunity: Latest EU FP7 call for proposals http://www.alter-net.info/jobs-opps/opportunities/opp-eu-fp7-call-for-proposals Added 11-07-2012. Deadline - mostly 16-10-2012 The European Commission several FP7 calls for proposals. Probably most relevant for the biodiversity community is the Environment (including Climate Change) theme - ENVIRONMENT 2013 (ENV). Here are some details:

 

The ENV call contains the following:

CHALLENGE 6.1 COPING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE

ENV.2013.6.1-1 Climate-related ocean processes and combined impacts of multiple stressors on the marine environment
ENV.2013.6.1-2 Atmospheric processes, eco-systems and climate change
ENV.2013.6.1-3 Impacts of higher-end scenarios (global average warming > 2 °C with respect to preindustrial level)
ENV.2013.6.1-4 Land cover and land-use change and climate change mitigation
ENV.2013.6.1-5 Quantification of consumption-based emissions of greenhouse gases and assessment of policy options
ENV.2013.6.1-6 Economics of adaptation to climate-change

CHALLENGE 6.2 SUSTAINABLE USE AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND AND SEAS

ENV.2013.6.2-1 Water resources management under complex, multi-stressor conditions
ENV.2013.6.2-2 Toxicants, environmental pollutants and land and water resources management
ENV.2013.6.2-3 Transition to sustainable, low-carbon societies
ENV.2013.6.2-4 Sustainable land care in Europe
ENV.2013.6.2-5 Urban biodiversity and green infrastructure
ENV.2013.6.2-6 Improved monitoring of the impact of cultivation on the environment using global Earth Observations
ENV.2013.6.2-7 Development of advanced technologies and tools for mapping, diagnosing, protecting and managing cultural landscapes in rural areas
ENV.2013.6.2-8 Sustainable management of Europe’s deep sea and sub-sea floor resources

CALL 'THE OCEAN OF TOMORROW': JOINING RESEARCH FORCES TO MEET CHALLENGES IN OCEAN MANAGEMENT

OCEAN 2013.1 – Biosensors for real time monitoring of biohazard and man made chemical contaminants in the marine environment
OCEAN 2013.2 - Innovative multifunctional sensors for in-situ monitoring of marine environment and related maritime activities
OCEAN 2013.3 Innovative antifouling materials for maritime applications
OCEAN 2013.4 Innovative transport and deployment systems for the offshore wind energy sector

CHALLENGE 6.3 IMPROVING RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

ENV.2013.6.3-1 Turning waste into a resource through innovative technologies, processes and services
ENV.2013.6.3-2 Eco-innovative demonstration projects
ENV.2013.6.3-3 Contribution to the assessment of global water resources through the use of new Earth Observation datasets and techniques
ENV.2013.WATER INNO&DEMO-1 Water innovation demonstration projects
ENV.2013.WATER INNO&DEMO-2 Ensuring the integration of water and innovation demonstration projects and support to trans-national networks of procurers

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP 'ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS INITIATIVE

EeB.ENV.2013.6.3-4 Energy efficient retrofitting and renewal of existing buildings for sustainable urban districts

CHALLENGE 6.4 PROTECTING CITIZENS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

ENV.2013.6.4-1 Assessing individual exposure to environmental stressors and predicting health outcomes: paving the way for an EU-wide assessment
ENV.2013.6.4-2 Closing gaps of knowledge and reducing exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF)
ENV.2013.6.4-3 Coasts at threat in Europe: tsunamis and climate-related risks
ENV.2013.6.4-4 Towards stress tests for critical infrastructures against natural hazards

CHALLENGE 6.5 MOBILISING ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE FOR POLICY, INDUSTRY AND SOCIETY

ENV.2013.6.5-1 Accelerating progress towards the Green Economy
ENV.2013.6.5-2 Mobilising environmental knowledge for policy and society
ENV.2013.6.5-3 Exploiting the European Open Data Strategy to mobilise the use of environmental data and information
ENV.2013.6.5-4 Knowledge platforms, networking and uptake of research results for more strategic international R&I cooperation
ENV.2013.6.5-5 Network for forward looking activities and assessment of research and innovation prospects
ENV.2013.6.5-6 ERA-NET Plus action: Development of new methodologies, technologies and products for the assessment, protection and management of historical and modern artefacts, buildings and sites.

 

Thanks to Martin Sharman (EC) for announcing this via the EUROBI group.

]]> No publisher Andy Sier funding opportunity 2012-07-11T11:05:02Z News Item New catalogue of Arctic research stations http://www.alter-net.info/news/interact-station-catalogue The EU-funded INTERACT project has produced a catalogue of northern-latitude research stations included in its network, to help researchers plan Arctic-based research. The INTERACT research stations provide a platform for arctic research and monitoring. Activities range from small, short term research projects to larger, long term monitoring programmes. The stations are thus visited by many researchers and research groups. The new INTERACT catalogue of research stations includes descriptions of the physical setting, facilities and services offered at the stations. The aim of the catalogue is to help researchers identify research stations that suit their specific needs.

The INTERACT network includes 33 Research Stations in 14 countries (since the initiation of INTERACT seven additional stations have been added and INTERACT is now represented in 18 countries). The stations are located in all major environmental envelopes of the Arctic providing an ideal platform for studying climate change and its impact on the environment and local communities.

Since alpine environments face similar changes and challenges as the Arctic, the INTERACT network also includes some alpine stations located outside the Arctic.

The Station Catalogue was published in 2012 and can be dowloaded from the INTERACT website: http://www.eu-interact.org/station-managers-forum/report-deliverables/station-catalogue/.

Several ALTER-Net partners are involved in INTERACT.

]]> No publisher Andy Sier 2012-07-09T15:07:36Z News Item Habitat mapping method could help restore biodiversity http://www.alter-net.info/news/habitat-mapping-method-could-help-restore-biodiversity A new method for mapping long-term changes in habitat over large areas and in fine detail has been developed, which could help inform conservation plans to restore biodiversity to previous states. In a UK case study, researchers have used it to demonstrate the dramatic effects of intensive agriculture and afforestation on rural habitats since the 1930s. A project involving several ALTER-Net partners has developed a new method for mapping habitat change.

Driven by increased demand for food and growing populations, major changes in rural landscapes during the second half of the 20th century, particularly in Western Europe, have had damaging effects on biodiversity. Intensive agriculture, afforestation for timber production and urbanisation have been shown to not only reduce available habitat for wildlife, but to also cut the links between habitats - the ‘ecological connectivity’ that allows species to spread and move around. Without these connections, there is a greater risk of extinction.

There is increasing interest in restoring habitats at a landscape and regional scale. This study, conducted under the EU SCALES project, presents a new method of mapping habitat change to assist these efforts. The researchers argue that mapping is an important first step in conservation planning, with implications for the EU’s Natura 2000 initiative, and that their approach is unique in that it can cover a large area of land, show small details and assess changes over a long period of time.

In a case study in Dorset, UK, the researchers combined historic maps and soil data from the 1930s, before the onset of intensive agriculture, and developed appropriate habitat classifications, such as ‘heathland’ and ‘managed grassland’. The information was used to produce a digital map of Dorset in the 1930s, with a fine-scaled resolution of 25 x 25 metres. This was then compared to a land cover map of Dorset, produced from satellite data, for the year 2000, revealing changes in habitat.

Further information

]]> No publisher Andy Sier ALTER-Net involvement 2012-07-04T11:55:00Z News Item MEP to talk at joint ALTER-Net/PEER conference session ◄A► http://www.alter-net.info/news/esof2012-session-Pietikainen-interview Ms Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP will be one of the speakers at the Euroscience Open Forum conference session on green infrastructure being co-organised by ALTER-Net and PEER.  

Green infrastructure links natural, semi-natural and urban features, areas and spaces together. It provides both ecological as well as societal well being, and resilience against dramatic changes. It provides us with cultural ecosystem services such as possibilities for recreation, inspiration, learning and spiritual gains.

But where can we find green infrastructure that supports sustainability and maintains its cultural ecosystem services? Can energy production from forests be sustainable and support recreational purposes? Which green infrastructure tolerates climate change and helps to forward positive transformations to cultural ecosystem services? These are jsut some of the questions we hope to address during the session.

PietikäinenWe talk to Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP about green infrastructure

Ms Pietikäinen has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2008 and was a Member of the Finnish Parliament for 20 years. We recently asked her about her perspective on green infrastructure:

What is your professional background?

I have a Master's Degree in Economics from the Helsinki School of Economics. In my earlier career as a politician, I was MP in the Finnish Parliament as well as Minister for Environment in the 90s. For the first half of this parliamentary term, I was a member of the environment committee of the European Parliament. I am chair of Globe EU.

What do you understand by ‘green infrastructure’?

I see green Infrastructure being a multi-dimensional issue which aims at providing ecosystem services. It has micro and macro levels, it can be understood in quantitative and qualitative terms. Leaving one third of building sites untouched - free for wild habitat - is a good example of micro level green infrastructure whilst on a macro level we plan cities where storm drains and connectedness of green areas provide added value for the citizens as well as for biodiversity.

How important is green infrastructure in our personal life?

It is very important. One good concrete example of green infrastructure's positive influence on our health is the fact that when people are hospitalised, the landscape they see from their hospital beds has to do with their recovery - according to some research, hospitalised people who have green and enjoyable landscape recover more quickly.

Can you describe some examples where current European policy is helping to protect green infrastructure and use it sustainably?

The European Commission is working on a Green Infrastucture Strategy for the EU and this is a very important initiative.

What more can Europe do to protect its green infrastructure?

The EU should have more competence in land use and physical planning as the planning phase is the most crucial step in achieving greener human environments.

How important do you think scientific research is, in order to help us protect green infrastructure?

I see research as very important in relation to green infrastructure. Also, applied research should be strengthened as it provides models and other practical information for decision-makers and administration.

 

Ms Pietikäinen will talk about these issues during the ALTER-Net/PEER conference session. We look forward to welcoming her to the session and we hope you will join us there.

More details

  • See the PEER website for an interview with Prof. Ilkka Hanski, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, who will also be speaking at the conference session.
  • The ALTER-Net/PEER session at ESOF 2012 is entitled “Sustainable green infrastructure: in seas and forests, from fields to cities”. Through contributions and debate from different disciplinary angles, the session will introduce novel ways of conceptualising the nature-human relationship by linking ecological theories of sustainability into everyday life of human societies. The session will consider future directions for conservation and sustainability research and will provide food for thought on the governance of European green infrastructure.
  • Date and time: Sunday 15 July during the 13.15 sessions
  • ESOF 2012 website: www.esof2012.org
]]> No publisher Andy Sier 2012-07-02T15:10:00Z News Item Contributions invited to a decadal vision for biodiversity informatics in Europe http://www.alter-net.info/news/contributions-invited-to-a-decadal-vision-for-biodiversity-informatics-in-europe Contributions are requested to help develop a white paper on biodiversity informatics. This work is being led by Dave Roberts at the Natural History Museum, London, and Alex Hardisty, Cardiff University. The documents is available on Google Docs, where you can comment on it. To find the draft white paper, see: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SCSl63zUok0ONNfoG02FROb8OPjUmhjXhwtp0Sa4-Yk/edit?pli=1.

A public meeting is also planned, to review the draft and hold an open discussion. This willl take place on 17 July, 10:00 - 16:00 17 at the Welsh Higher Education Brussels, Wales House, Rond-Point Schuman 11, B-1040 Bruxelles.

]]> No publisher Andy Sier policy data 2012-06-27T14:55:00Z News Item Opp: Call for abstracts, HydroEco 2013 http://www.alter-net.info/jobs-opps/opportunities/hydroeco2013-call-for-papers Added 19-06-2012. Deadline 30-09-2012 There is a call for abstracts for the HydroEco 2013 conference, an international conference on hydrology and ecology, that takes place in Rennes, France in May 2013. See the conference website for details. The deadline for submitting an abstract is 30 September 2012.

]]> No publisher Andy Sier call for papers 2012-06-19T08:17:05Z News Item ALTER-Net LinkedIn group welcomes its 500th member ◄A► http://www.alter-net.info/news/alter-net-linkedin-500th-member There are now 500 members of our group on LinkedIn, the networking system for professionals. ALTER-Net's LinkedIn group is open to anyone, whether you work for an ALTER-Net partner organisation or not. It's a great way to share news and ideas concerning biodiversity and ecosystem research, to keep in touch with ALTER-Net and to make new contacts. So, why not join 500 other like-minded professionals around the world and join our group today? All you need is a free LinkedIn account.

Just click here to visit the group's home page: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1113827. We look forward to welcoming you!

]]> No publisher Andy Sier 2012-05-30T10:32:44Z News Item 22 May: International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) http://www.alter-net.info/news/international-biodiversity-day The theme for this year's IDB is Marine Biodiversity  

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has designated 22 May each year International Day for Biological Diversity, and the theme this year is marine biodiversity. More information and links to activities happening around the world can be found here: http://www.cbd.int/idb/2012/.

]]> No publisher Andy Sier 2012-05-21T11:20:00Z News Item Opp: Marie Curie Fellowships call http://www.alter-net.info/jobs-opps/opportunities/marie-curie-fellowships-call Individual fellowships calls under the Marie Curie actions are now open (deadline 16 August 2012) Individual fellowships calls under the Marie Curie actions are now open (deadline 16 August 2012). Three calls for individual fellowships have been published under the specific programme People in the Marie Curie Actions. The fellowships are:

  • Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)
  • International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)
  • International Incoming Fellowships (IIF)

    Visit the Europa website for more information about the calls.
]]> No publisher Kristine Ulvund 2012-05-18T09:05:00Z News Item Follow the first BiodiversityKnowledge conference online http://www.alter-net.info/news/biodiversity-knowledge-conference-online All the plenary talks at the conference, which takes place from 21-23 May, will be webstreamed live. You can also submit questions to the conference via e-mail and Twitter From Monday, May 21st, you will be able to watch live all the plenaries from the first BiodiversityKnowledge conference comfortably from your office or armchair. Please visit: http://www.biodiversity.be/kneu where you can find information on the programme and keynote speakers.

Submit a question

You will also be able to interact and send questions on the approach of a Network of Knowledge for Europe. You can send a question by EMAIL to: [email protected], or by TWITTER: using #biodiversityNOK

About BiodiversityKnowledge

BiodiversityKnowledge (formerly KNEU) is an initiative by researchers and practitioners to help all societal actors in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem services to make better informed decisions. In this challenge, we invite the whole biodiversity community to help us develop an innovative mechanism called Network of Knowledge - an open networking approach to boost the knowledge flow between biodiversity knowledge holders and users in Europe.
www.biodiversityknowledge.eu.

]]> No publisher Andy Sier conference ALTER-Net involvement science communication science-policy interface event:ext 2012-05-17T08:23:43Z News Item